Russian Mermaid statue at Soter Point in Ventura, California

The Russian mermaid statue at Soter Point in Ventura, California was donated by Alec & Tatyana Benke to the city of Ventura in 2009, and placed at Soter Point in collaboration with Samuel Povar and Andy Soter. (Map)

Alec Benke and his wife Tatyana emigrated from Kazakhstan to the United States and the mermaid statue is a symbol of their love for their new country.

The statue stands on a base created by Alec. With the base, the sculpture reaches more than 20 feet into the air. The mermaid sculpture is meant to be a water fountain, but there is as of 2012 no water yet – although it is planned.

Soter Point is part of the Ventura harbor area, and Andy Soter dedicated time and funds to renovating and beautifying this area in memory of his daughter.

Samuel Povar has been actively involved in a number of public-private art collaborations in Ventura, and was instrumental in making this project possible.

The mermaid statue at Soter Point is rapidly becoming a major attraction for tourists and also gaining fame as an example of public-private collaboration in beautifying a city.

The plaque at the base of the sculpture reads:

The Mermaid of Soter Point A Public and Private Collaboration

This stunning landmark overlooking the Ventura Harbor represents a trailblazing cooperative effort to beautify our community through private citizens working with public agencies. Andy Soter developed and landscaped the area in memory of his daughter Andrea, a successful and much admired investment manager. The mermaid sculpture and its foundation were donated by Russian emigrants Alec and Tatyana Benke, as an expression of love for their new country, America. Samuel Povar created the first collaboration of this nature in 2007 as a tribute to his late wife Orianna and worked tirelessly to make this Marina Park project a reality. And, the Ventura City Council and the Coastal Commission gave their enthusiastic blessing. Now Povar, Soter, and Benke, all Ventura residents, hope to inspire others to use private capital along with public cooperation and support…to envision something beautiful and make it happen.

I sat upon a promontory, And heard a mermaid, on a dolphin’s back, Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, That the rude sea grew civil at her song; And certain stars shot madly from their spheres, To hear the sea-maid’s music. – William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Northwest view. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Northeast view. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Photo by Sunny Oberto.

The Russian Mermaid of Soter Point in Ventura, CA. Photo by Sunny Oberto.